MG-1 questions

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Setarip

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Hello everyone,
I recently acquired a used yashica mg-1 for about 8 bucks with the original box, manual, strap, and flash. It appears to be in good working order (currently have not put in batteries) the shutter fires, winds smoothly, the lens is clear from what I can see. The body is in pretty dang good shape! Once cleaned it really looks to be pretty new, minus tiny amounts of corrosion on some parts of the body (looks like small flecks of dust) I have a couple questions about this camera...

1. Is this camera worth putting in new seals?

2. Im pretty disappointed by how hollow/cheap feeling it is, are all yashicas built like this?

3. The film door when closed is not very firm. It locks into place, but you can put a little pressure on the door and it will move the entire door about a mm or two, is this normal?

Thank you to anyone who responds!
 
Forgot to add, are there any yashicas that are smaller than this? I dont mind the size, but a smaller one would be pretty useful.
 
1. Is this camera worth putting in new seals?

Yes, if it needs them--unless you're into lomography and want the fogging and light streaks. Even then, though, keep in mind that super-sticky deteriorated light seal gum will eventually find its way onto the film and into the camera's mechanics and electronics.

2. Im pretty disappointed by how hollow/cheap feeling it is, are all yashicas built like this?

Have you compared it to a GSN? If it feels the same to you, then yes.

3. The film door when closed is not very firm. It locks into place, but you can put a little pressure on the door and it will move the entire door about a mm or two, is this normal?

Firmness of the film door will improve after you install new light seals. There will still be a little movement with new seals, but you wiil feel the responding pressure of the seals.

P.S. The CC is the smallest, I think. Or maybe the GL? Someone who has looked up those dimensions could answer this.
 
I replaced the light seals in mine with black self adhesive felt bought from hobbycraft. This felt is a bit thicker than the light seals so i didn't have the problem with the door that you describe.
I think that the MG-1 is decently built camera, not the best out there but surely it met my expectations. There are smaller Yashica models too, 35GL, 35CC, 35GX, 35FC are a few to consider.
 
1. It all depends on you, how you use cameras and what you expect to get
2. Yashica Electro cameras weren't status cameras at the time (doesn't mean they weren't in front line of technology, though), and MG-1 is a budget model with slower lens. Lynx models feel more substantial to me, and screwmount models, I assume, are even better in this regard despite they aren't exactly Leicas.
3. improves after seal replacement
4. yes, there are MC, FC, GX and CC - all smaller than large G* models. Oh, there's also GL but dimension wise it's between GX/CC and G/GS/GSN and is pretty rare.
 
I would make sure the electrical is operating 1st, age can be unkind to the "POD". The camera will work without power but you will be limited to 1/500 second shutter speed. There is a wealth of information on the Yashicas, including the pod. Some years ago I used filters with b/w film and liked the MG-1 due to the meter reading through the lens. I finally choose the Lynx 5000e which does have a battery but its for the meter only. Good luck

David
 
Thanks for the replies! I was able to power it up with a 6v battery, everything seems to be working fine. I also cleaned the lens and its spotless as well. I ended up replacing the seals with some foam from Michaels, and will be doing a test roll soon. I'm really starting to like this camera!

Also, is it normal for the film door to have tiny specks of rust? Any simple remedy like touch up paint that wont look horrific?
 
Setarip said:
Also, is it normal for the film door to have tiny specks of rust? Any simple remedy like touch up paint that wont look horrific?
Click to expand...

Normal, no. Just shows it were stored in suboptimal conditions but if internals aren't affected this shouldn't be reason to worry [much]. Just clean off rust, I'd do it with dust remover fluid if would be going to paint over. Painting those paintless spots would be top notch, just prepare surface - but you seem to be knowledgeable enough.

On hollow feel - just received backup Electro 35 MC in addition my main one, it's smallest of Electros - so small that even doesn't have RF but is scale focus instead. It doesn't have THUMP sound while advancing, and body is so small that it doesn't resonate. I don't have GX nor CC but they are little larger than MC and also could be nicer to handle than MG-1. Just beware - I'm not saying MG-1 is wrong camera, no. Lens is fine (but of same speed as on tiny MC) , but it's so large that one could carry SLR with fast lens instead, and for me shutter release is too stiff and long travel. Otherwise no issues, VF is one of most contrasty between FL RF's of same legacy.
 
Hey btgc,
Thanks for the advice! I'll have to look into the rust solution a little bit. You are right though about the size of the MG-1...it's huge! I also have a Minolta XG-M and the MG-1 is about 20% larger. The 2.8 lens doesnt bother me too much, I was shooting a Nikon P100 digital for a while and it only had a 2.8-8.0 lens.
 
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